IP Library Granted Patent US 11,678,020
Granted Patent B2
US 11,678,020 · App. 17/531,596 · Granted Jun 13, 2023

Methodology for equalizing systemic latencies in television reception in connection with games of skill played in connection with live television programming

Inventors: David B. Lockton (Redwood City, CA); Mark K. Berner (Santa Clara, CA); Mark J. Micheli (San Francisco, CA); David Lowe (Foster City, CA)
Assignee: Winview, Inc.
H04N21/4781A63F13/216A63F13/22A63F13/285A63F13/32A63F13/332A63F13/335A63F13/338A63F13/358A63F13/50A63F13/795A63F13/92H04N5/04H04N21/2385H04N21/24H04N21/25866H04N21/27H04N21/4302H04N21/435H04N21/43615H04N21/44209H04N21/4508H04N21/47217H04N21/6131A63F2300/406A63F2300/407A63F2300/409A63F2300/534
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,678,020
App. No.
17/531,596
Granted
Jun 13, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of and system for handling latency issues encountered in producing real-time entertainment such as games of skill synchronized with live or taped televised events is described herein. There are multiple situations that are dealt with regarding latencies in receiving a television signal with respect to real-time entertainment based on the unfolding games played along with the telecasts. Systemic delays, arbitrarily imposed delays of a broadcast signal and variances in the precise broadcast times of taped television programs have to be equalized so as to provide fair entertainment.

Claims (59)

1. A method of providing a game of skill or chance or other entertainment including content related to an event, the method comprising:

a. determining a location of a mobile device;

b. providing the game of skill or chance or other entertainment during the event, based on the location of the mobile device;

c. receiving input related to the game of skill or chance or other entertainment during the event; and

d. triggering a lockout signal to prevent users from submitting a response to the game of skill or chance or other entertainment, including utilizing a person in physical attendance at the event to determine when to trigger the lockout signal.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the location of the mobile device includes determining whether the mobile device is within a gaming or sporting event venue.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the content comprises information or entertainment content.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein input to the mobile device is by a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth or another 2-way wireless transmission.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the content comprises betting data from a real-time sports betting service.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the content relates to a real-time sports prediction contest.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the content relates to selections of a subset of participants in the event.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the lockout signal is triggered immediately before users are able to see a relevant gameplay unfold.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the lockout signal is triggered during an in-progress play, not during a stoppage, and prevents submitting a response before a critical element of the in-progress play unfolds.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the game of skill or chance or other entertainment includes sending the content related to the event via a wireless network.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the wireless network comprises the Internet and/or a cellular network, including cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth or another 2-way wireless transmission.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the lockout signal suspends interaction for a limited amount of time.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein global positioning system information is utilized to determine the location of the mobile device.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the lockout signal occurs during an in-progress play, not during a stoppage, and prevents submitting the response before a critical element of the in-progress play unfolds.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the lockout signal suspends the ability to submit the response while betting odds information is updated to reflect changing event status.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the lockout signal is initiated before a scoring chance in the game of skill or chance or other entertainment and additional user input is allowed after the scoring chance is resolved.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the lockout signal prevents a response while betting odds information is updated to reflect changing event status.

18. A device for providing a game of skill or chance or other entertainment including content related to an event, the device comprising:

a. a memory for storing an application, the application configured for:

i. determining a location of a mobile device;

ii. providing the game of skill or chance or other entertainment during the event, based on the location of the mobile device;

iii. receiving input related to the game of skill or chance or other entertainment during the event; and

iv. triggering a lockout signal to prevent users from submitting a response to the game of skill or chance or other entertainment, including utilizing a person in physical attendance at the event to determine when to trigger the lockout signal; and

b. a processor configured for processing the application.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein determining the location of the mobile device includes determining whether the mobile device is within a gaming or sporting event venue.

20. The device of claim 18 wherein input to the mobile device is by a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth or another 2-way wireless transmission.

21. The device of claim 18 wherein the content comprises betting data from a real-time sports betting service.

22. The device of claim 18 wherein the content relates to a real-time sports prediction contest.

23. The device of claim 18 wherein the lockout signal is triggered immediately before users are able to see a relevant gameplay unfold.

24. The device of claim 18 wherein the lockout signal is triggered during an in-progress play, not during a stoppage, and prevents submitting a response before a critical element of the in-progress play unfolds.

25. The device of claim 18 wherein the lockout signal suspends interaction for a limited amount of time.

26. The device of claim 18 wherein global positioning system information is utilized to determine the location of the mobile device.

27. The device of claim 18 wherein the lockout signal occurs during an in-progress play, not during a stoppage, and prevents submitting the response before a critical element of the in-progress play unfolds.

28. The device of claim 27 wherein the lockout signal suspends the ability to submit the response while betting odds information is updated to reflect changing event status.

29. The device of claim 18 wherein the lockout signal is initiated before a scoring chance in the game of skill or chance or other entertainment and additional user input is allowed after the scoring chance is resolved.

30. The device of claim 29 wherein the lockout signal prevents a response while betting odds information is updated to reflect changing event status.

31. A server device for providing a game of skill or chance or other entertainment including content related to an event, the device comprising:

a. a memory for storing an application, the application configured for:

i. determining a location of a mobile device;

ii. providing the game of skill or chance or other entertainment during the event, based on the location of the mobile device; and

iii. receiving input related to the game of skill or chance or other entertainment during the event;

iv. triggering a lockout signal to prevent users from submitting a response to the game of skill or chance or other entertainment, including utilizing a person in physical attendance at the event to determine when to trigger the lockout signal; and

b. a processor configured for processing the application.

32. The server device of claim 31 wherein determining the location of the mobile device includes determining whether the mobile device is within a gaming or sporting event venue.

33. The server device of claim 31 wherein input to the mobile device is by a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth or another 2-way wireless transmission.

34. The server device of claim 31 wherein the content comprises betting data from a real-time sports betting service.

35. The server device of claim 31 wherein the content relates to a real-time sports prediction contest.

36. The server device of claim 31 wherein triggering the lockout signal occurs immediately before users are able to see a relevant gameplay unfold.

37. The server device of claim 31 wherein triggering the lockout signal occurs during an in-progress play, not during a stoppage, and prevents submitting a response before a critical element of the in-progress play unfolds.

38. The server device of claim 31 wherein the lockout signal suspends interaction for a limited amount of time.

39. The server device of claim 31 wherein global positioning system information is utilized to determine the location of the mobile device.

40. The server device of claim 31 wherein the lockout signal occurs during an in-progress play, not during a stoppage, and prevents submitting the response before a critical element of the in-progress play unfolds.

41. The server device of claim 40 wherein the lockout signal suspends the ability to submit the response while betting odds information is updated to reflect changing event status.

42. The server device of claim 31 wherein the lockout signal is initiated before a scoring chance in the game of skill or chance or other entertainment and additional user input is allowed after the scoring chance is resolved.

43. The server device of claim 42 wherein the lockout signal prevents a response while betting odds information is updated to reflect changing event status.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 2, 2023
From: WINVIEW, INC.
To: WINVIEW IP HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 065102/0116 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2021
From: LOCKTON, DAVID B.; BERNER, MARK K.; MICHELI, MARK J.; LOWE, DAVID
To: AIRPLAY NETWORK, INC.
Reel/Frame 058170/0662 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2021
From: AIRPLAY NETWORK, INC.
To: WINVIEW, INC.
Reel/Frame 058170/0676 →
Continuity (11)
Continuation 16749864 · Jan 22, 2020
Continuation 16177118 · Oct 31, 2018
Continuation 15900438 · Feb 20, 2018
Continuation 15648101 · Jul 12, 2017
Continuation 15263186 · Sep 12, 2016
Division 14172571 · Feb 4, 2014
Continuation 13681172 · Nov 19, 2012
Division 13403845 · Feb 23, 2012
Continuation 11786992 · Apr 12, 2007
Provisional Application 60791793 · Apr 12, 2006
Related Publication 20220080306A1 · Mar 17, 2022
Cited By (3)
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